Salary jumps from Tk70,000 to Tk500,000 amid mob influence

Since 5 August 2024, the word “mob” has become widely used in Bangladesh’s political and social discourse. For the past year and a half, people across the country have witnessed what mob behaviour looks like and how it manifests in different forms. Many have even remarked that the country has become a “mob’s domain”. However, the public has mainly seen the incidents of mob violence that occurred openly on the streets.

Beyond those visible incidents, various forms of mob intimidation have reportedly taken place quietly behind the scenes. One such case has recently come to light at Aspire to Innovate (a2i), the government’s main hub for the digital transformation of public services. After the political change on 5 August, the office allegedly turned into what many described as a “mob-controlled environment”. A dismissed junior official reportedly seized a senior post by force and increased his salary from Tk70,000 to Tk500,000, allegedly bypassing established rules and procedures.

According to insiders, similar developments affected nearly 90 per cent of consultants, officials and staff within the organisation.

The a2i project was originally launched to make public services easier and more transparent by using digital technology. It began towards the end of the previous BNP government through an initiative of the Prime Minister’s Office and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP). Later, the Awami League government transferred the programme from the Prime Minister’s Office to the ICT Division.

Most of Bangladesh’s major e-governance initiatives have since been implemented through a2i. In 2023 the project was upgraded to an a2i Agency, although that transition has yet to be fully implemented. The programme still operates as a project and is scheduled to continue until December.

How mob culture began

The central figure in the controversy is Fahim Abdullah, who once worked as a junior consultant for the a2i e-filing system.

In 2023 he was arrested by police due to alleged political involvement and was later dismissed from a2i on charges of misconduct and inefficiency.

According to complaints, on 6 August 2024 Fahim arrived at the a2i office accompanied by a group of external supporters. Witnesses said he entered the offices of the project director and the joint project director and issued threats, demanding that his job be reinstated. At one stage he reportedly began declaring himself the Head of Programme Management at a2i.

A former consultant told Kaler Kantho that when the first attempt failed, Fahim’s supporters returned on 8 August, again issuing threats. This time Fahim did not appear in person but allegedly sent several individuals including Talha Ibn Alauddin, chief executive of his former workplace Codesk Software Solution Ltd. They reportedly pressured a2i project manager Md Mamunur Rashid Bhuiyan in various ways.

The consultant also claimed that before the formation of the interim government, the ICT sector was largely influenced by NCP leader and MP Abdul Hannan Masud and student organisation Jatiya Chhatra Shakti leader Abu Bakar Majumder.

Removal of officials and consultants

Shortly after the interim government was formed, the pressure group reportedly became active again. According to those affected, the process appeared carefully orchestrated. Allegations posted on anonymous Facebook pages were used as the basis for investigations, while pressure reportedly came from different offices.

A video dated 20 August 2024 shows a group of about a dozen people, including current DUCSU leader Mosaddek Ali, surrounding then additional secretary Mamunur Rashid. Later it emerged that the group was led by student leader Talha Ibn Alauddin. Mamunur Rashid was heard saying that investigations were underway and action would be taken if allegations were proven.

On the same day, 14 a2i officials and consultants were instructed to stop performing their duties. No formal written notice was reportedly issued; instead, they were informed through a WhatsApp group message telling them to leave.

Those removed included policy adviser Anir Chowdhury, e-government analyst Md Farhad Zahid Sheikh, project management specialist Md Majedul Islam, project analyst Purabi Matin, technology analyst Md Hafizur Rahman, capacity development specialist Manik Mahmud, resource mobilisation specialist Md Naser Mia, DFS specialist Md Tahurul Hasan, solution architecture specialist Rezwanul Haque Jami, senior consultant HM Asad-uzzaman, e-file implementation expert ATM Al Fattah, senior software engineer Tanvir Kader Imon, administrative consultant Md Omar Faruk, and procurement consultant Md Salauddin.

Questions over recruitment

Despite the controversy, Fahim Abdullah was reappointed to a2i on a contractual basis on 24 September 2024. Critics say the appointment bypassed normal recruitment rules. Although he reportedly lacked the required experience, he was appointed Head of Project Management, rising from a junior role.

Under the project’s Revised Technical Assistance Project Proposal (RTAPP), the position requires at least eight years’ experience in a national or international organisation and four years’ experience in project management. Fahim’s professional experience reportedly began in 2016 and was not directly related to project management.

Several of Fahim’s close associates also benefited from the changes. Among them was Majedul Alam (Mahi), now described as his personal consultant. In a Facebook post dated 29 September 2024, Fahim shared a group photo from inside the a2i office and referred to Mahi as the “mastermind”.

Salaries rise sharply

Internal documents suggest that Fahim and several associates significantly increased their salaries without following proper procedures.

Fahim’s salary reportedly rose from Tk70,000 in October 2022 to Tk400,000 in January 2025, and later to Tk500,000 under a new contract signed on 1 January 2026.

Similarly, Majedul Alam’s salary increased from Tk70,000 to nearly Tk300,000, while consultant Arifur Rahman reportedly saw his pay rise from Tk200,000 to Tk450,000 after becoming a senior consultant. Other staff members also experienced substantial salary increases.

UNDP investigation

Tensions eventually arose between a2i and UNDP. On 14 October 2024, UNDP sent a formal note verbale to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs regarding the removal of several officials. The note stated that personnel working under the National Personnel Service Agreement (NPSA) are employees of UNDP, not direct government staff, and therefore fall under UN administrative rules.

In June 2025, UNDP’s Office of Audit and Investigations (OAI) from New York conducted an inquiry. In a letter dated 11 August, Deputy Director and Head of Investigations Sabina Blaskovich said that after reviewing the available information, the office found insufficient grounds to launch a formal investigation against the accused officials and consultants.

The letter stated that the case had been closed.

Influence within the office

Sources claim Fahim has since consolidated significant influence within the a2i office. He has also been accused of using a government vehicle (Dhaka Metro-Gh-130659) without proper authorisation. When contacted, the vehicle’s driver confirmed that he drives Fahim regularly.

Fahim, however, denied using a government vehicle, saying the driver lives near his residence and therefore travels with him.

Fahim’s response

Responding to the allegations, Fahim Abdullah said the claims were politically motivated. He argued that after 5 August, many individuals were removed due to irregularities and corruption during the previous administration.

He also rejected claims that his appointment resulted from mob pressure, saying the recruitment process was conducted properly about six weeks after 5 August.

Project authorities’ response

During the period when these appointments and salary increases reportedly took place, Md Mamunur Rashid Bhuiyan served as project director and currently works as an additional secretary in the ICT Division. He could not be reached for comment.

Current a2i project director Md Abdur Rafiq said that he had learned about the allegations through the media and that the matter would be investigated.

“If the allegations are proven true, action will be taken in accordance with the rules,” he said. [Source: Kaler Kantho]